The cobblestone paths of Magose-toge Pass were built at the beginning of the Edo Period by the Kishu Domain. The two-kilometer path stretching from the starting point to the summit has been preserved in its original form, which dates back almost 400 years ago.

The path is about 2.7 meters wide and was built to allow the fuedal lord to be safely carried by palanquin. The paving stones are large and flat and cover the surface of the path. Made using local granite sourced from the mountains and valleys, the spacing of the stones matches a person’s natural stride, making it easy to walk without stress.

The City of Owase is known for its gray weather, and Magose-toge Pass often sees heavy rainfall. To protect the path from erosion, the stones are layered on top of each other for at least a meter down from the surface of the path.

In between the stones, there is a diagonal cut water channel called an “Araigoshi”. This allows the water to drain down from the mountains in case of heavy rainfall. It also allowed travelers to wash their straw sandals if they got covered in mud from the path. The path is lined with cypress and cedar trees as well as thick ferns, which adds an extra hint of charm to the already beautiful path. When the forestry industry was thriving, lumber would be sent down the mountain on the cobblestone path.